Business rates relief for venues: Where does Live comedy sit alongside Live Music?
Question for Treasury: LIVE COMEDY VENUES RATES RELIEF
On March 3, 2026, Dr Simon Opher MP, a CRAFT political patron, queried the eligibility of comedy venues for the 15% business rates relief offered to pubs and live music venues with the Treasury. The Treasury confirmed that comedy venues may be eligible - but ultimately this will be determined by individual Local Authorities. (Question Link)
Venues without the relevant 'clubs and premises' registration may not automatically receive the relief. They need to update their registration with their local authority. Dr Simon Opher is lobbying for clearer government guidance on this issue — ensuring that comedy venues are not excluded through bureaucratic classification rather than deliberate policy choice.
Dr Simon Opher said: “I welcome the Government’s major support package for pubs and live music venues, which will be a vital lifeline for many businesses that have struggled in recent years. However, this support should not stop there. Comedy venues play an important role in our cultural and night-time economy, yet many have faced significant pressures. Extending support more clearly to comedy venues would make a real difference. I would encourage comedy club owners to contact their local billing authority to ensure they are properly registered and able to access any relief available.”
Live Comedy Venues: What this means in practice
If you run a comedy venue, club night, or comedy-first space, here is what to do now:
Check your current registration with your local authority. If you have a 'clubs and premises' classification, you should be eligible for the relief. If not, contact your council to explore updating it.
Contact your local billing authority directly. Relief is administered locally. The government funds councils for the cost of relief, but individual authorities make the eligibility decisions.
Check your new rateable value. Revaluation took effect 1 April 2026, based on 2024 market values.
Do not assume you are automatically included. The relief is discretionary at local authority level. You need to make the case, and in some cases you may need to provide evidence of your primary use as a comedy venue.
LIVE COMEDY VENUES: If you want to know if your venue is eligible for business rates relief, use this GOV.UK link to contact your local council.
CRAFT, the Comedy Representation and Artform Trust, is the national body for UK Comedy and is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO in formation). We are focused on Five Pillar areas for the comedy industry. The above article relates to Pillar 4: Public Affairs, Policy, & Representation, where we ensure comedy is recognised as a standalone artform across all formats (live, broadcast, recorded, digital/hybrid, writing and visual/illustrative formats), so policy decisions and funding reflect its true role and value; widen who gets to participate and progress; and protect lawful satire and social commentary.
Subscribe to our RSS feed or newsletter + follow our socials for future updates.
